steering as reported is silly

[markusbarbarian]

So many many threads discussing the steering issues with these trucks and like many others I decided to study what others have discovered and what the market place has to offer. First though was to to do my own analysis . People what ever you do remove the bilstein steering dampner( unless you enjoy have the the stiffest dampner on the market and love auto correcting the truck continuously on the road and love being thrown toward the curbs when making a turn). Just doing this made the truck drive closer like a regular vehicle in this price range I.E Land rover Defender / Sport/LR4-5, I came from a LR-4 .
I have been driving without one as I ordered the OWL unit https://owloutdoor.com/collections/...-stabilizer-for-ineos-grenadier-quartermaster and was so happy to have the wheel return and turn as normal that I wanted to see how it reacted. Living where I do we have some of the worst roads in north america so I can report the wheel shutters a bit when you hit big pot holes and definitely I would not recommend anyone doing this unless they are confident to try it and assume the risk. So far though the risk for me has been worth it as it as I mentioned it has made a 100% positive driving experience on road.
I certainly will report back after I install the King unit this week and do a road and off road evaluation. One thing to note the wheel is still off center and you have natually the weird gap between left and right ( like the king pins are worn) and I forgot to mention the caster was adjusted as per Owl's suggestion.

 

[Kujo]

I’m curios. What is the year and month that your vehicle was built?

 

[DaveB]

I have 30,000 kms on mine on all types of roads and have absolutely no problem with the standard factory steering.

 

[Dokatd]

So many many threads discussing the steering issues with these trucks and like many others I decided to study what others have discovered and what the market place has to offer. First though was to to do my own analysis . People what ever you do remove the bilstein steering dampner( unless you enjoy have the the stiffest dampner on the market and love auto correcting the truck continuously on the road and love being thrown toward the curbs when making a turn). Just doing this made the truck drive closer like a regular vehicle in this price range I.E Land rover Defender / Sport/LR4-5, I came from a LR-4 .
I have been driving without one as I ordered the OWL unit https://owloutdoor.com/collections/...-stabilizer-for-ineos-grenadier-quartermaster and was so happy to have the wheel return and turn as normal that I wanted to see how it reacted. Living where I do we have some of the worst roads in north america so I can report the wheel shutters a bit when you hit big pot holes and definitely I would not recommend anyone doing this unless they are confident to try it and assume the risk. So far though the risk for me has been worth it as it as I mentioned it has made a 100% positive driving experience on road.
I certainly will report back after I install the King unit this week and do a road and off road evaluation. One thing to note the wheel is still off center and you have natually the weird gap between left and right ( like the king pins are worn) and I forgot to mention the caster was adjusted as per Owl's suggestion.

Yep, it’s as easy as just removing the stock unit for a quick test drive to see for yourself. But of course adding an aftermarket version makes things right at the end of the day.

As well anyone who claims the aftermarket ones caused vibrations etc might have something else wrong on their truck. A stock Grenadier drives perfectly fine without a stabilizer at all.

Anyways, let the flame wars begin again cause they are coming. First will be oh it’s no big deal, just acquire a taste for it and you will be fine. Second will be the engineers at Magna know best and this is best.

 

[Dokatd]

I have 30,000 kms on mine on all types of roads and have absolutely no problem with the standard factory steering.

This is fantastic and I’m glad you are enjoying your truck.

But what’s the point of this post if not just to suggest the OP has a problem with their truck or that they just need to accept it or get another type of vehicle. If he wanted to poll people on who is happy and who is not then he would have. But his point is, as well as mine previously, that you can take your stabilizer off for a bit to see what you might be missing.

Your opinion is certainly valuable and valid, but make a good argument to support it other than you don’t take issue with how the stock truck drives. A Ford Fiesta may drive great for some people but is junk to others.

Make an argument to justify the stock steering that can’t be refuted by personal preferences.

Or, hear me out. Take your stabilizer off and go for a quick drive around the block. Understand that the steering will be a bit harsh but note the other changes knowing an aftermarket stabilizer will take care of the harshness.

 

[DaveB]

This is fantastic and I’m glad you are enjoying your truck.

But what’s the point of this post if not just to suggest the OP has a problem with their truck or that they just need to accept it or get another type of vehicle. If he wanted to poll people on who is happy and who is not then he would have. But his point is, as well as mine previously, that you can take your stabilizer off for a bit to see what you might be missing.

Your opinion is certainly valuable and valid, but make a good argument to support it other than you don’t take issue with how the stock truck drives. A Ford Fiesta may drive great for some people but is junk to others.

Make an argument to justify the stock steering that can’t be refuted by personal preferences.

Or, hear me out. Take your stabilizer off and go for a quick drive around the block. Understand that the steering will be a bit harsh but note the other changes knowing an aftermarket stabilizer will take care of the harshness.

My apologies.

My factory steering tracks straight on the highway even with hands off the wheel at 100 kmh or 60 mph and I posted a Youtube video showing it.
It returns to centre when cornering or turning nearly 100% with very little to no assistance needed.
It took about a week of driving to get used to the steering.

So I guess my comment was that the standard steering on my vehicle works as designed and I am extremely happy with it.

There are plenty of video's and reviews of how great a change to an aftermarket steering damper is, however I find many/most of them are from people who sell aftermarket steering dampers.

 

[Bruce B]

This post is why I am slowly giving up on social media…

 

[Dokatd]

My apologies.

My factory steering tracks straight on the highway even with hands off the wheel at 100 kmh or 60 mph and I posted a Youtube video showing it.
It returns to centre when cornering or turning nearly 100% with very little to no assistance needed.
It took about a week of driving to get used to the steering.

So I guess my comment was that the standard steering on my vehicle works as designed and I am extremely happy with it.

There are plenty of video's and reviews of how great a change to an aftermarket steering damper is, however I find many/most of them are from people who sell aftermarket steering dampers.

Interesting, can you post a link to your video. You are of course in a different market so maybe we got a different version here in the states?

That said, at 50-60mph the stock ones here do ok. Especially if you have favorable road conditions. But for instance here in Texas we have roads that have 85mph speed limits with people often pushing well over 100mph for very long stretches. Once you hit 70ish and above the steering gets a bit wandery for my taste.

But of course speed is not a factor in the self centering. So I’m certainly curious about your experience. I could have dealt with the self centering around a 90° turn but where mine was so much of a problem was long distance drives down rough highways.

Anyways, I have a ton of respect for your response above.

 

[anand]

For what it's worth, plenty of people have reported death wobble on the highway with no damper, the OME damper, and the Fox damper. Additionally, Owl's video instructs people to "adjust" it to factory caster settings (~2°)...

To the OP (@markusbarbarian ), how many km's are on your vehicle? I noticed that the factory damper really breaks-in around the 4-5,000km mark, and since (before) then have never experienced the "throw you towards a curb" feeling

 

[DaveB]

Interesting, can you post a link to your video. You are of course in a different market so maybe we got a different version here in the states?

That said, at 50-60mph the stock ones here do ok. Especially if you have favorable road conditions. But for instance here in Texas we have roads that have 85mph speed limits with people often pushing well over 100mph for very long stretches. Once you hit 70ish and above the steering gets a bit wandery for my taste.

But of course speed is not a factor in the self centering. So I’m certainly curious about your experience. I could have dealt with the self centering around a 90° turn but where mine was so much of a problem was long distance drives down rough highways.

Anyways, I have a ton of respect for your response above.

I occasionally do 135 kmh (85 mph) to overtake but wouldn't sit on it for long stretches.
pretty sure it is speed limited to 160 kmh (100 mph) or could be 150 kmh.
It is a brick and side winds blow it all over the place.
I have the diesel so fuel economy ok but in the petrol (gas) version you would need to stop to fill up every hour.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw2CnkkcCb4

 

[Dokatd]

I occasionally do 135 kmh (85 mph) to overtake but wouldn't sit on it for long stretches.
pretty sure it is speed limited to 160 kmh (100 mph) or could be 150 kmh.
It is a brick and side winds blow it all over the place.
I have the diesel so fuel economy ok but in the petrol (gas) version you would need to stop to fill up every hour.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw2CnkkcCb4

Here is a vid I took the other day. Doesn’t really tell a lot other than my setup is functional.

 

[Max]

Living where I do we have some of the worst roads in north america so I can report the wheel shutters a bit when you hit big pot holes and definitely I would not recommend anyone doing this unless they are confident to try it and assume the risk. So far though the risk for me has been worth it as it as I mentioned it has made a 100% positive driving experience on road.
I certainly will report back after I install the King unit this week and do a road and off road evaluation.

No steering issues here:

The steering is definitely designed for off road use and to minimize that shutter. I was very surprised just recently that the wheel was'nt pulling at all in some pretty crazy rutts. Back in the day they would rip the wheel out of your hand. Remember the old style of driving, thumbs outside the wheel, no need now when the shutter is near zero...I will be interested in your evaluation of whatever you end up with

 

[DaveB]

No steering issues here:

The steering is definitely designed for off road use and to minimize that shutter. I was very surprised just recently that the wheel was'nt pulling at all in some pretty crazy rutts. Back in the day they would rip the wheel out of your hand. Remember the old style of driving, thumbs outside the wheel, no need now when the shutter is near zero...I will be interested in your eveluation of whatever you end up with

I tend to drive with hands at 9 & 3 and thumbs resting on top of the two pads on the steering wheel.
I just drove back from Mackay and some of the larger ruts on the highway grabbed hold of the wheel and ripped the steering wheel to the side.

 

[Tazzieman]

This post is why I am slowly giving up on social media…

I've stopped responding to FB posts and switched from Twitter/X to Bluesky. Though I never really did the Twitter/X thing, except to watch funny video clips.
And the steering is fine, but I was lucky enough to score a very early build.

 

[trobex]

I have 30,000 kms on mine on all types of roads and have absolutely no problem with the standard factory steering.

It is still heavy and does not return to center very well even at 30,000kms. But there is no issue with my vehicle in terms of L-R tightness (no slack) and I do not find myself having to correct much if at all anymore...

 

[parb]

The wheel centering is unrelated to the wheel alignment as well as to the steering dampener. if your steering wheel's metal ring isn't at 12 oclock when driving straight then you should have your service center adjust it (or do it yourself, there are instructions on this forum). It won't affect the driving experience, but i found it a minor annoyance so i had it adjusted when i did my first oil change. They also did a wheel alignment and it really helped me getting my car to drive well on the highway.

i too changed out the steering dampener and i have nothing but good experiences from it.

 

[997DAVID]

So many many threads discussing the steering issues with these trucks and like many others I decided to study what others have discovered and what the market place has to offer. First though was to to do my own analysis . People what ever you do remove the bilstein steering dampner( unless you enjoy have the the stiffest dampner on the market and love auto correcting the truck continuously on the road and love being thrown toward the curbs when making a turn). Just doing this made the truck drive closer like a regular vehicle in this price range I.E Land rover Defender / Sport/LR4-5, I came from a LR-4 .
I have been driving without one as I ordered the OWL unit https://owloutdoor.com/collections/...-stabilizer-for-ineos-grenadier-quartermaster and was so happy to have the wheel return and turn as normal that I wanted to see how it reacted. Living where I do we have some of the worst roads in north america so I can report the wheel shutters a bit when you hit big pot holes and definitely I would not recommend anyone doing this unless they are confident to try it and assume the risk. So far though the risk for me has been worth it as it as I mentioned it has made a 100% positive driving experience on road.
I certainly will report back after I install the King unit this week and do a road and off road evaluation. One thing to note the wheel is still off center and you have natually the weird gap between left and right ( like the king pins are worn) and I forgot to mention the caster was adjusted as per Owl's suggestion.

Same issue with mine. I put a fox steering shock seemed to help

 

[Voader - Oudersopzwier]

I have 30,000 kms on mine on all types of roads and have absolutely no problem with the standard factory steering.

Idem dito 40,000 km and absolute no problem with the steering

 

[Zimm]

This post is why I am slowly giving up on social media…

Oh enough of such talk. Yer not. Everyone says that.